The Next-Sound Decision
The same written final consonant can sound different when the next environment changes. Before a vowel, a final consonant may link as the next onset or undergo palatalization. Before a nasal such as ㅁ, an obstruent final may become nasal. Before a lenis consonant such as ㄷ or ㅂ, the following consonant may become tense.
Compare one spelling family at a time
Spelling · Next sound · Listening guide · Change
옷이 · vowel 이 · [오시] · Final ㅅ links before a vowel.
옷도 · ㄷ · [옫또] · The following ㄷ becomes tense.
옷만 · ㅁ · [온만] · Final ㅅ becomes nasal.
국어 · vowel 어 · [구거] · Final ㄱ links before a vowel.
국물 · ㅁ · [궁물] · Final ㄱ becomes nasal.
국밥 · ㅂ · [국빱] · The following ㅂ becomes tense.
밭이 · 이 · [바치] · Final ㅌ palatalizes.
밭에 · 에 · [바테] · Final ㅌ links before a vowel.
밭도 · ㄷ · [받또] · The following ㄷ becomes tense.
밭만 · ㅁ · [반만] · Final ㅌ becomes nasal.
Keep the normal spelling unchanged. Look at the sound immediately after the final consonant, predict the listening guide, and then repeat the complete line.
Verified Spelling Versus Sound
Read the normal spelling first. Then use the local next sound to choose the matching listening guide.
Spelling and sound
Spelling · Sound · What changes
옷이 · [오시] · Final ㅅ links before a vowel.
옷도 · [옫또] · Final ㅅ is heard as [ㄷ], and following ㄷ is tense.
옷만 · [온만] · Final ㅅ becomes nasal before ㅁ.
국어 · [구거] · Final ㄱ links before 어.
국물 · [궁물] · Final ㄱ becomes nasal before ㅁ.
국밥 · [국빱] · Following ㅂ becomes tense.
밭이 · [바치] · Final ㅌ becomes ㅊ before 이.
밭에 · [바테] · Final ㅌ links before a vowel.
밭도 · [받또] · Final ㅌ is heard as [ㄷ], and following ㄷ is tense.